Chapter 18 Don't Inform Jia Jibing
"Currently, Yuanxin EDA can already design central processors with over ten million transistors, built on a 300nm process," Su Yuanshan said as he exported the project into a layout file. He continued, "This means that, in terms of tools, we have already surpassed the West. Although due to x86 architecture patents, we cannot proceed with manufacturing, we can still design the most advanced 80486 processors, and even more advanced CPUs."
"But having good tools is not enough. We only have two-micron-level low-end chip production lines. We can't even make a 386 chip—those used 1.5-micron processes back then."
Su Yuanshan's tone was calm, but to Zhou Boguang, every word struck a nerve. Huajing's recently imported 5-inch, 2-micron wafer line represented the most advanced technology chain domestically. Yet, in terms of technological generations, it was already two generations behind, and nearly fifteen years outdated.
And even though they were introducing a 6-inch, 0.9-micron production line, which could reduce the technology gap to ten years, Zhou Boguang knew the reality: the 908 Project had been under review for a year, Huajing had already started building cleanrooms, but the higher-ups still hadn't finalized anything—let alone the funding.
Su Yuanshan took out a floppy disk and handed the newly designed chip files to Chen Yujie. He continued looking at Zhou Boguang and said, "Professor Zhou, if I were you guys... I'd be banging the drums at the top."
Hearing such an un-joking joke, Zhou Boguang finally cracked a smile.
"It's difficult, Xiaosu," Zhou Boguang said, fixing his gaze on Su Yuanshan as he removed the hard drive from the computer. "Still, since you've developed such a powerful tool, I believe the higher-ups will be stirred. By the way, when will your software reach its final version? How much will a set cost?"
"About one more month. The price will match international peers', but we'll include Chinese teaching materials for free."
"Are you planning to export the software?" Zhou asked.
Su Yuanshan nodded naturally. "Not only will we export it, we'll promote it globally, aiming to make every semiconductor company our customer. And the timeline is October this year. Thus, domestic priority use rights will only last for two months."
Zhou Boguang froze. His first instinct was to stop Su Yuanshan—handing such a sharp weapon to foreign users would only widen the technological gap. But soon, he realized how naive that thought was.
Software was different from hardware. Unless you disassembled the system, you couldn't see everything. Judging from the features Su Yuanshan had just demonstrated, once foreign EDA developers saw and understood Yuanxin EDA, they could replicate it. Plus, with their advanced production lines, they would catch up even faster.
Programming, after all, had originated in the West.
Zhou Boguang's expression darkened. "Your approach is correct... Rapid expansion to wipe out competitors and monopolize the market. But still, I can't help but wonder—how much faster will Western chip design progress now? How many new patents and barriers will be created? And how much harder will it be for us to catch up?"
Su Yuanshan retrieved the hard drive and smiled. "That's why Yuanxin will partner with UESTC to establish a research center focused on chip design and talent cultivation. You're welcome to send people for training."
Zhou Boguang blurted out, "Why not work with us? Developing EDA requires close cooperation with wafer fabs."
Su Yuanshan looked at the still-young and strong Zhou Boguang and sighed softly. "Professor Zhou, you won't be able to keep up with us."
It was a harsh statement, but coming from Su Yuanshan, it sounded entirely justified.
After a long silence, Zhou Boguang sighed heavily but quickly straightened his back and said with a booming voice, "Then we start chasing now. You can stay at the guesthouse and familiarize yourselves with the environment. Huajing's top leadership just went to Beijing, and they'll return in about half a month. When they do, I'll arrange for you to give a demonstration. I'll do my best to secure a pre-purchase agreement and make Huajing Yuanxin's first customer."
Su Yuanshan smiled. "It would be an honor. However, may I ask—will the heads of the various design teams attend?"
"They are the main project leaders; they definitely have to attend," Zhou Boguang answered. Though he felt the question was odd, he still glanced at Chen Yujie—because in principle, every department head could open a fabrication project. It was curious that Chen had brought them to him rather than to Jia Jibing.
Chen Yujie once again felt a bitter taste in his mouth.
Su Yuanshan's smile deepened. "Then please, Professor Zhou, kindly... do not inform Comrade Jia Jibing."
**
In the end, Su Yuanshan and the others did not stay at Huajing but returned to the city to find a guesthouse.
Even during the car ride, Tian Yaoming vividly recounted Su Yuanshan's vengeful "tit-for-tat" behavior to Pan Xiaojun, who had been waiting all afternoon. The car was filled with laughter.
The next day, after some discussion, they decided that Su Yuanshan and Qin Weimin would remain at Huajing to fully assist with the chip fabrication process, while Tian Yaoming returned to Jiangyin Factory to help coordinate the PCB production line.
Two weeks later, Huajing's top executives returned from Beijing, and the very next day, they held a report meeting, with Su Yuanshan as the main presenter.
Although LCD projectors had been developed by then, their resolution was so low that even a high-tech institute like Huajing hadn't purchased one. Instead, they used the latest VGA splitter technology to project a single computer's output across four monitors for presentations.
Under the watchful eyes of a roomful of senior figures, Su Yuanshan calmly walked up to the demonstration computer, expertly swapped in his hard drive, loaded the drivers, and booted into Windows 3.0.
"Good morning, leaders, professors, senior brothers, and sisters."
"My name is Su Yuanshan. I am the son of Professor Su Xinghe from UESTC's Department of Electronic Engineering. Influenced by my father, I have been passionate about computer languages and integrated circuits from a young age. Under his guidance, I participated in the full design and development of Yuanxin EDA."
Speaking with poise and neither arrogance nor timidity, Su Yuanshan swept his gaze across the audience.
There were more than a dozen people, most middle-aged or older. Judging from Zhou Boguang's seat, they were clearly Huajing's top executives. All the major mid-level figures from the research center were also present.
Except Jia Jibing.
Su Yuanshan smiled slightly. "Next, I will demonstrate the core functions of Yuanxin EDA."
"Given Huajing's primary need for IC design EDA, I will skip PCB functions and jump straight to integrated circuit design. For convenience, I will design a simple digital MOS chip live."
As he spoke, Su Yuanshan started a new project.
Effortlessly, he laid out transistors forming logic gates, then copied and combined them as easily as stacking toy blocks.
"The core feature of Yuanxin EDA is intelligent classification and arrangement of logic gates, enabling quick generation of Verilog HDL and VHDL code instructions. Of course, this machine is a bit slow."
As Su Yuanshan explained, a microchip containing thousands of logic gates slowly took shape.
"Next comes the VHDL code. Our Verilog HDL and VHDL code generation tools are even smarter than C++ compilers. They can automatically memorize structures and precisely map code to specific areas for fully visualized design."
As Su Yuanshan continued speaking, the group of experienced engineers—people who had long been familiar with traditional EDA tools—was completely stunned.
Compared to Yuanxin, the other EDA software on the market seemed like clumsy infants learning to walk.
Still smiling, Su Yuanshan casually turned his head toward the door—and just caught a glimpse of a gloomy horse-faced figure quickly disappearing from sight.
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